Russia closes German consulate in St Petersburg after diplomatic spat

WEB DESK: Russia said on Monday it would close the German Consulate-General in St Petersburg in retaliation for Berlin’s decision to shut the Russian consulate in Bonn and a Russian cultural centre in Berlin.

Germany took its own measures after accusing Moscow of an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, an allegation Russia called an absurd fabrication.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the German consulate in St. Petersburg must cease operations no later than September 18.

It also confirmed that Germany’s Goethe-Institut cultural centres in Russia must cease their activities, with staff ordered to leave the country by September 13 at the latest.

“It was the German authorities who, once again, provoked a new round of escalation in bilateral relations. The German government bears full and complete responsibility for the consequences,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.